"I'm not coming out, and you can't make me!".

My mother pinched the bridge of her nose, exaggeratingly huffing out in exasperation. In a rigid posture, she was tapping her foot on the floor, gripping onto the door handle and jiggling it, only to find out that it's locked. "(Y/N) (Y/L)! Open the door this instant!", she proclaimed in a sharp tone, almost making me flinch from the other side of the door. "You're going to miss the bus!". I stuck my tongue out, blowing a raspberry to provoke mum.

I hated being the new kid at school.

No-one ever wants to talk to you, you're isolated and you only have one chance to make a good impression. If you don't, you're stuck being an outcast for the rest of high school. At least, that's what it was like at my old school. It was a miracle that I got anyone to talk to me at all, let alone make friends there. Everyone was so judgemental and it really wears you down and sinks your self-confidence.

My mother scolded at the shut door, looking up at the modern clock on the wall to predict how much time she had left to convince me to go to school. "(Y/N) it was really difficult to get you a spot in that school", she explained, indifferently, "I know you don't like the struggles of being new, but you need your education".

The door handle clicked before gradually turning and opening the door. "Education is dumb!", was all I spat out as I reclined on the steady door frame. "I've learned all the basic stuff. Isn't that enough?". With a desirous frown, mum held up my backpack in her grasp and tossed it into my chest as I just barely managed to grip onto it before it fell. She already forced me to pack all the supplies I needed, to get out of my pyjamas and into clean clothes.

The last thing she needed was to get me out the door. "(Y/N), I'm not in the mood for this. Get out of your room", my mum instructed me, although I heard her grunting words when she thought I wasn't listening. I clicked my tongue showing her disrespect, and that was the tipping point for her. She pinched onto my earlobe, making me yelp in surprise and pain as she hauled from the doorframe. I thrusted in her grasp, squealing and kicking like an insane, hyperactive little kid, screeching, "Let go! That hurts!". She did eventually release me, tossing me outside the house. I rubbed onto my ear, sending her a horrid scowl that seemed to have no impact on her.

"And don't even think about skipping any classes. You are in so much trouble if I get a call from the school".

I walked down the street, listening to only the clicking of my shoes hitting the concrete path. My eyes remained fastened on the ground so that I wouldn't be greeted by any pedestrians. The only noise that left my mouth was the melodious humming of a tune that had been previously stuck in my head. "(Y/N)! Hey!".

My thoughts were pulled out of the clouds when I heard a vaguely familiar voice. I glance up from the pavement to see Connie, waving at me to grab my attention as she stood next to the Bus Stop with a math textbook in her grasp. I narrowed my eyes slightly, still a little circumspect. I wasn't too sure I liked Connie yet. I didn't know her well and something about her gave me eerie vibes. Nevertheless, I still allowed myself to approach her.

"Hey", I acknowledged her, looking over her shoulder instead of her face. She gazed at the heavy, purple-hued backpack strapped on my shoulders and returned her gaze to me with a smile. "You're starting school too?", she asked as I responding with a nod. More people arrived after me, immediately occupying the bench that I was hoping to sit on. But it didn't take long for the bus to leisurely approached us. I entered first, giving a nod to the bus driver as a way of greeting him, as she responded with the same gesture.

Surprisingly, there weren't many people on the bus. I guess most kids got their parents to drive them to school. To not be the centre of attention, I made my way to the back of the bus, leaning against the glass frame. All the kids near me became obscure as my mind began to drift off. "It's too bad we're not going to be in the same classes", that was until a friendly voice, interrupted my thoughts, making me sit up in complexity. Connie sat opposite to me, with her backpack resting on her lap. It looked so much lighter than mine, she must've organised her stuff in a way that everything would fit properly.

I cocked a brow at her, sitting up straight. "How do you know what grade I'm in?", I asked. Connie smiled, trying to hide the smirk that was forming on her lips. "Steven told me. He talks about you all the time". I was stunned to hear that. Surely Connie was exaggerating with her words. She was probably just pulling my leg to get a reaction out of me. "Yeah right", I scoffed, turning my head to face the window and observe the scenery we were passing on the way to school. "It's true", Connie said whilst my ears perked up, "Every topic I bring up somehow reminds him of you".

"Hey, Steven? You want to play Sugar Smash?".

"Yeah! Too bad (Y/N) isn't here. She's awesome at that game", Connie mimicked Steven's voice in a goofier than accurate way.

"Want a bite of my cake?".

"That looks just like the cake (Y/N) and I made! It was so much fun baking with her".

"Wow, this flower is pretty".

"You know, (Y/N) doesn't like me saying it, but she has the prettiest smile".

A pink glow touched my cheeks as I replayed the last quote countlessly in my head. My rosiness got more heated and without me even realising it, my mouth curved into a tiny smile as I huffed in pursuit. "That idiot...", I chuckled under my warm breath. Trying to ignore my blushing state, I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through it. Connie, on the other hand, opened her textbook and began reading through some notes that she wrote, beforehand. I arched a brow at her as I noticed that she felt me watching. "Nerd", I chortled modestly, but loud enough for Connie to hear. I earned a jaunty scowl from her as she brought the book close to her chest, almost protectively.

"There's nothing wrong with being prepared", she snarled at me, returning to her reading. I rolled my eyes and went back to my phone as my ears unintentionally listened to the sound of students chatting cheerfully amongst themselves. Connie inaudibly read her textbook, reading out some notes out loud softly. She suddenly sat up from the stuffy window, noticing that the bus was slowing down. "We're here!".

We both waited for everyone to rush out of the bus, before making our way out. The school wasn't as big as my old one, and there weren't many students, but that just made things easier for me. Connie and I made our way inside the school together, but then parted ways when we stepped inside. I made my way to the front desk and pressed the buzzer. When no-one came, I pressed it again until a lady came from the back. She sat down at her chair and smiled at me, making me a little uneasy. "Can I help you?", she grinned.

"Uh, I'm new here", I stated, not noticing how restless I was getting. "My name is (Y/N). I have no idea what my classes are". The attendant bent down and opened a small cabinet as she began rummaging through the paper files in it. She pulled one out with my name written on it in a thick, black marker and opened it. She took out a sheet of paper and handed it to me. "Did your mother buy all the required supplies for the year?", she asked as I gripped on the paper from the other side of the desk. I nodded, skimming through my timetable so I could imprint it in my head. "Your locker is number 28, right around the corner", she pointed, "If you have any trouble with it, speak to me".

I made my way to my classroom door, hearing the sound of tranquil chattering on the other side. I took a glimpse at my timetable to ensure I was at the right place before knocking gently on the door. The talking immediately went quiet which got me a little apprehensive, but I tried to brush it off.

The door opened, revealing a male teacher who didn't seem all that thrilled to see me. I sent him a miniature frown, more submissive than the glare he was sending me. "Speak of the devil", he spoke, opening the door wide enough for me to step in. Every student's attention was on me and honestly, I didn't like it.

"Everyone this is (Y/N)", he introduced me with a broad, fraudulent smile. I glimpsed past his shoulder, noticing his name written on the corner of the whiteboard. Mr Miles Tannen. Although his first name was slightly rubbed off, I could still vaguely see it. "Would you like to introduce yourself?". I narrowed my brows at him. "Why? They already know my name", I grunted. The classroom was filled with muffled giggles at my sudden remark which made smirk myself. I love feeling smarter than my peers.

However, Mr Tannen didn't seem to appreciate my tone. That was a common complaint about me. Teacher's always complained that I had an "Attitude Problem". Apparently, speaking your mind counts as having an attitude. They always talk about how every student's opinion would be heard and accepted. I open my mouth to speak and suddenly it's a crime.

"Your mother did mention that you could be a bit blunt", he muttered, leading me to a desk in front of him. Yeah, I'm a direct person. Got a problem with that? I set my things on the desk and slipped onto the seat, readjusting it so I could sit comfortably. "Ok class, today we're going to start the new topic of Trigonometric Ratios", he explained, which instantly made me let out an excessive yawn. "Open your textbooks to page 143". Everyone began opened their books and flicking through the thick pages, except me. Only a few minutes in and I was already doodling in my book. I could already tell that my former habits from my old school were still there.

I felt and heard a small vibration in my pants as I immediately wished I left my phone in my locker. I was glad Mr Tannen didn't notice the sound. As soon as he turned his back to write on the board, I slid my phone out of my pocket to check who sent me a message. Why am I not surprised?

Stevie ⭐

heya!

As my teacher's head whipped around at the sound of the vibration, I instantly covered my phone under the desk, hoping he wouldn't approach me to investigate. Luckily, he neglected the sound and carried on with his lecture. I let out a tranquil sigh of relief.

You

Steven! I told you not to text me when I'm at school!

Stevie ⭐

sorry! i just wanted to check on you

You

There's not a monster attack every 5 minutes. I think I'll be fine

You

Now stop texting me!!!

Stevie ⭐

how are your classes?

Stevie ⭐

did you meet any new friends?

Stevie ⭐

can i visit you in school one day???

You

....

You

So I heard you think I have a pretty smile. Is that true?

Stevie ⭐

i think garnet is calling me. gtg!

A small chuckle left my lips which unmistakably caught my teacher's attention. "Care to share with the class what you think so humorous, (Y/N)?", he narrowed his brows at me with his hands curved into a fist and planted on his hips. I glanced up, slightly puzzled a few heads turning to face me whilst some simply ignored everything that was happening. I shook my head, letting out a muffled, "Nah, I'm good".

And I thought I could've gotten away with it if it wasn't for--

Bzzzzzz!

"(Y/N)! Do you have a phone under your desk?", I heard Mr Tannen snap from in front of me. I should've stuffed it back in my pocket, but Steven was still texting me back which caused a lot of vibrations to be heard. He glared under my desk before his fiery eyes darted to me. Although a part of me was alarmed of the consequences of breaking school rules, I kept a poker face to try and look dignified. "We have a strict 'No Phone' policy! I'm going to have to ask you to hand it in".

I should've just let him have it his way and hope that I'd get it back at the end of the day. But, I got that bitter, impassioned feeling that was crawling out of the pit of my stomach. It happens every time my bad temper wants to unleash on the victim that infuriated me. And it wouldn't let me handle this situation passively. "I'm not letting your wrinkly hands touch my phone!", I shot back at him, making a few students gasp at the climactic argument and scene I was needlessly causing. Almost as if they've never seen someone bicker to a faculty member as I did. Mr Tannen was enraged. "I do not tolerate talking back or this kind of disrespect!", he scolded.

"Well if having a belief counts as being disrespectful, then sue me, Miles!", I shouted, alarming all the students around me, including myself. This wasn't the first time I called a teacher by their first names during a heated dispute, so I knew what kind of reaction I was expected to receive. Mr Tannen slammed his hands on my desk with a threatening frown. "That's it! Principal's Office!", he growled as I gawked at him in irritation. "Now!".

Clenching my jaw and muscles, I stood up in a single agile motion, rocking my desk as I did so and letting out an outraged huff. Sending my teacher a scowl, I stomped out the door, ramming him with my shoulder with a moderate amount of force on the way out. He proceeded to screech at me as I left, but I swiftly ignored him.

You

Dangit Steven! You got me in trouble!

Stevie ⭐

sorry! :(

You

Nah it's cool. Gave me an excuse to verbally abuse my math teacher

Stevie ⭐

(Y/N) you shouldnt do that! Your mum gonna get really mad at you!

You

I was in my right to say what I said

As I heard my name being called from inside the office, I struggled to even clutch onto the door handle whilst feeling an approaching aura tightly gripped onto me. The principal was waiting for me behind a large wooden desk. Her pensive look, with her, languidly fiddling around with her pen threw me off completely. I immediately regretted talking back to Mr Tannen, but I resisted to show any hesitation. I refused to show any emotion at all. She couldn't smell fear, but she could certainly see it.

I stepped forward and closing the door behind me, before she spoke, "Take a seat". Without tearing my eyes away from hers, I sat down on the chair in front of me. The principal rested both her elbows on her desk, clicking her pen incessantly as tension kept brewing. Eager to leave, I let out a fake cough. "Is there a reason I'm here?", I asked, knowing at the back of my head exactly what the reason was. She stopped clicking her pen, setting it down on the desk gently.

"I hear you've been having some problems with your new teacher", she asserts, making me roll my eyes in irritation. "Did you call me in here to punish me, or to state the obvious? Because there are other things I could be doing other than listening to you playing with your pen", I narrowed my brows at her. I was astonished to see how pacific she was through my comments, almost as if it hasn't taken any effect on her. My head faced the floor, frowning at my feet.

"I've dealt with students like you before", she continues, neglecting my offensive behaviour and the insolence I threw at her. "That attitude your giving me isn't going to get you anywhere". My eyes didn't leave the floor. "Because this is your first day, I'm going to let you off with a warning. But I should advise you, if you get sent to my office for something like this again, I won't be so generous".

She opened the drawer in her desk, taking out a sheet of paper. She picked up her pen, scribbling something on it before handing it to me. I hesitated to take it from her grasp as I read it. Seriously? Did she write me a Warning Letter?

"Give that to your parents, get them to sign it and bring it to me tomorrow".

Taking a small piece of cherry pie, I plopped it on my tray in the small dessert section. If I was being extremely honest, it didn't look very edible. But, I plastered on a fraudulent smile for the lunch lady and carried on. Then came the worst part of starting a new school; Finding the right seat in the cafeteria. My eyes scanned the area, trying to analyse the different highschool stereotypes there were and which one I'd have the best shot with.

A bunch of kids glued to their phones, taking selfies and barley talking to each other. TubeTube Stars, social media fanatics. I don't think that's the right group for me.

My eyes darted to another table.

Nerdy looking kids, majority of them are wearing orange and have yellow sashes on. Senior Saftey Patrol, hobbies include giving out infringements, getting perfect grades, never missing a day of school and volunteering for after school activities. Way too well-behaved for me.

Next table.

Juggling soccer balls, spray painting skateboards and challenging each other to pushup competitions. The Athletes. I don't think I want to spend my free time exercising.

"Hey! New girl!", I heard a voice shout from the back of the cafeteria. My eyes darted to the sound, to see a group of kids motioning me over, sitting in the shaded table in the corner. Wait, dim coloured hoodies, worn-out shoes and sitting in a table isolated from the rest. Oh no. The Outcasts. I think the name is pretty self-explanatory. They're basically the rejects of the school, the ones nobody wants to be seen with. I faced a different direction, pretending I didn't hear them or that they were talking to someone else and I just happened to be in the way. But they were extremely resilient with me sitting with them.

I let out an exhalation in resentment, making my way to the back of the cafeteria. Some of the kids stopped their discussions to face me with narrowed brows. Almost as if they were indirectly saying, Are you really going to throw yourself into the target for bullies? My feet took very reluctant steps and sat down on the table. The three kids grinned at me. "Well, there goes my chance of making a good impression to important people", I muttered, picking up my fork and poking the mashed potatoes on my tray. "Why'd you guys invite me to sit with you? Are you hoping to gain something?".

A brunette, with two tacky, braided ponytails, scooted her chair in, pushing her dish out of her way. "First, a proper introduction", she beamed, "I'm Frankie".

"Jeremiah, but you can call me Jerry", the boy with strawberry blonde hair, nerdy glasses with a few freckles on his nose spoke.

Another boy grinned. "And I'm Owen", he spoke, as I noticed his black, inky tousled hair that sat right above his shoulders. Almost as if the midnight sky caressed him on the top of his head. "(Y/N), right? You're in Jerry's math class". Arching a brow, I picked up the red apple and began to munch on it. I wasn't exactly trusting of them. I knew for a fact that they wanted something out of me, I wasn't stupid. Jeremiah began to lace his fingers together. "I was there when you called out Mr Tannen and--Wow! You are so aggressive. Not only did you argue back